ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals hire Jen Welter as training camp and preseason assistant coach

Jul 27, 2015, 5:38 PM | Updated: 6:19 pm

The Arizona Cardinals have made some history, hiring Jen Welter as a training camp/preseason intern who will help coach inside linebackers.

Welter, who played 14 seasons of pro football mostly in the Women’s Football Alliance, is believed to be the first woman to hold any kind of coaching role in the NFL. She will do so in Arizona as part of an internship program.

AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban has plenty of detail, including some thoughts from Cardinals coach Bruce Arians.

“Coaching is nothing more than teaching,” Arians said Monday. “One thing I have learned from players is, ‘How are you going to make me better? If you can make me better, I don’t care if you’re the Green Hornet, man, I’ll listen.’ I really believe she’ll have a great opportunity with this internship through training camp to open some doors for her.”

Welter, 37, holds a master’s degree in sport psychology and a PhD in pyschology. She played running back and on special teams for the Texas Revolution in 2014, making her the first female to play a non-kicking position in a men’s pro football league. She also won a pair of gold medals playing for Team USA in the International Federation of American Football Women’s World Championship in 2010 and 2013.

For Arians, the hire just made sense.

“She came for an OTA and I met her, and I thought she was the type of person that could handle this in a very positive way for women and open that door,” Arians said.

Arians also said he does not believe Welter will be a distraction in any way and hopes that this hire will help open the door for other women to find their way into the NFL coaching ranks.

Along with Welter, the Cardinals also announced the addition of former NFL linebacker Levon Kirkland to their coaching staff.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

8 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

12 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Marvin Harrison Jr. wasn’t opposed to joining Arizona Cardinals in 2023

Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals in 2024? That's what Paris Johnson Jr. predicted soon after getting pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals hire Jen Welter as training camp and preseason assistant coach